Soroptimist luncheon's first-rate females

COEUR d'ALENE — Soroptimist International of Coeur d’Alene recognizes North Idaho is brimming with powerful, hard-working, resourceful and inspiring women.

Eight of them were honored Friday during Soroptimist of Coeur d’Alene’s 33rd annual Women of Distinction Awards Luncheon, held at Cedars Floating Restaurant in Coeur d’Alene.

Sunshine beamed through the windows as more than 100 people gathered in the restaurant to celebrate the honorees’ accomplishments, which included maintaining a thriving local arts and culture scene, working to prevent domestic violence, ensuring the community's underprivileged children have bright holidays, pushing for excellence in nursing, serving on countless boards and committees and much, much more.

“It’s huge to recognize that women in the community have done such great things,” said Soroptimist of Coeur d'Alene member Wendy Brondt. "We typically recognize men; you know, women always kind of fall to the backdrop.”

Marilee Wallace of the Coeur d'Alene Chamber of Commerce served as the mistress of ceremonies while Post Falls City Councilwoman Kerri Thoreson served as the keynote speaker. Thoreson shared personal experiences with domestic violence and emphasized how important it is for survivors to tell their stories.

"By survivors staying silent, we fail to give women that are in that situation a beacon of hope," she said. "There is light outside despair, and if you believe nothing else I tell you, you are stronger than you think you are."

Award recipients were preceded at the podium by those who nominated them — friends, colleagues and family members who value their compassion, dedication and hard work. The women received cheering, applause and flowers as they accepted their awards.

"It's always an honor to be noticed for something that you do that you're so passionate about, and theater is something that I've been passionate about since I was a little girl," said Laura Little, executive producer of Laura Little Theatricals and recipient of the Women of Distinction Arts and Culture Award.

It was a tie for the Community Service Award, which went to two individuals: Camie Wereley and Becky Shields.

"For the last 20 years, I really have had a passion for being a voice for abused children and abused women," Wereley said. "There are so many people who contribute in Coeur d'Alene and I'm always amazed by what people are willing to do and what they're willing to give."

"The generation I grew up in always gave," Shields said. "A hundred years from now, it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in or the kind of car I drove, but the world may be different because I was important in a child's life, and there's my goal — to always be important in our children's lives."

Other 2015 Women of Distinction award recipients: Jamé Davis, Business and Professional Award; Bethany Atkinson, Education Award; Joan Simon, Health Award; Marge Chadderdon, Public Service Award; and Georgianne Jessen, Senior Award.

Info: www.soroptimistcda.org